Reviews

I got True Strength Yang on March 2009 and have done the regimen ever since. As a hardcore skeptic I guarantee that True Strength Yang delivers you everything it promises! I do Sanshou, Kali and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I and can tell you from such a person's viewpoint how punches and kicks don't hurt nearly as much as they used to and the pain goes away VERY fast- be it uppercuts or kicks to the midsection. Defending against leg kicks is less painful due to toughening of my thigh muscles and shins. When someone traps my forearm with his shin while grappling on the mat it barely stings and when I'm going to get armbarred inside my opponent's guard it won't cause too much pain on my thigh as he presses on it with his foot. You can get ALL of this and much, much more without having to wreck your precious body with debilitating, nerve-killing exercises like banana tree-kicking and grappling on gravel. It's kind of funny how my training partners might ask me "are you okay?" after I've had a critical hit and I can just shrug it off.

As I carried on with the regimen, I noticed how the slaps started to sound more and more like thuds. I thought I was imagining things, but it really did sound more like a thud! Also, the stinging feeling has dulled out a lot and won't linger as long. With the "Base" training on the second DVD I can now shift my weigth a lot more fluidly on the mat. The whole regimen is extremely easy to do and won't take much time, I've got amazing results with about 10 minutes few times a week.

In my opinion, the material presented on this DVD is laid out very well and the sequences are easy to follow. Stephan Berwick has made follow-along workouts, too. You just have to be consistent and take your time.

True Strength Yang is something extremely unique and little known, even so much that I would compare it to the impact Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu made on people in the first UFC. This review has been written by a martial artist, but I'm sure you can find something for yourself from the regimen if you are not someone like me- go ahead and ask the author, Stephan Berwick for details. Order True Strength Yang NOW. It will be far more than good for you. If you disagree with me, you are wrong. While you are at it, persuade other people to try it out, too!

As a chiropractor and acupuncturist, I want to help patients (and myself) workout effectively and safely, in limited time and space. This innovative DVD is ideal.

Based on time-honored martial arts practices, True Strength Yang promotes power, speed and even flexibility. The tempo and percussive forces are adjustable for each participant, so anyone can reap the benefits of this training technique.

In light of its bone-strengthening aspects, I'm recommending this workout particularly to the "older" segments of my patient base. Everyone acknowledges the importance of weight-bearing exercise as we age; here's a simple, no-frills way to achieve that goal.

Fun, fast (if you want it to be), and easy to learn, I think Stephan Berwick's approach is an all-around winner.

I have been practicing the "soft", non-martial varieties of chi kung (qigong) for about 15 years now. This is as different as a slap to the face in the morning. He does not call it chi kung, but this is definitely a form of hard chi kung.

It is simple, straight forward and invigorating. Like other forms of Chinese martial arts, benefits are best realized through consistent, focused daily practice and increasing capacity but never getting to the point of exhaustion.

Daily slapping should stimulate the cell growth and adaptation and blood circulation at the point of contact. One of my early observations was that longstanding arthritic pains in my fingers disappeared within a couple of days. I have no idea what that means.

The content of the DVD is really good. I learned a lot. Being fairly new to the martial arts and physical conditioning,Iwouldn't put much stock in any company other than dragondoor for a supplement to my ongoing learning experience. Keep up the great work.

In any endeavor, excellence is rooted in "the basics". Stephan Berwick lays a solid foundation when he takes the time to explore fundamental movements. This is the focus of the second DVD in the set.

And while True Strength Yang is built on time-honored principles, the power of this program quickly surpasses the basics. It is a dynamic regimen great for enhancing strength, stamina, and resilience - regardless of your background.

You have to experience True Strength Yang for yourself to realize how much it has to offer. Prepare to be surprised at almost immediate improvement in rooting, power, coordination, and speed.

This is a well crafted and explained easy to follow guide to strengthening and toughening your body. An excellent choice for the Martial Artist or anyone just wanting to get stronger.

I've been doing this program every morning for 2 weeks now. It perfectly complements the body-weight only program I'm practicing.

Combine this program with Naked Warrior and naked TGUs from TGU From The Ground Up and you have a comprehensive training schedule. Strength, ease of movement and increased energy, the three pillars of a solid body foundation.

This is not only a good set for conditioning one's body against blows it may also be found a bounty in one's learning power generation and developing balance. Following some of the methods on the DVDs one's awareness of one's own body can improve.

I have been training for over 25 years. I strength train,do martial arts,yoga,and cardio training. This video is the best internal training that I have come across. It is a great total body warm up. It really gets you going before an early morning workout and keeps your internal power buzzing all day. I can't wait for the True Strength Yin series to come out.

The Tong Bei striking action is unique and unlike anything I've done before. My arms, shoulders and back have greater range of motion and are more flexible. My legs are also stronger from the stepping and weight shifting.

I do some of these exercises in place of traditional warm ups for sports and have found it puts me in better condition to play.

I recommended this video as a stand alone workout and as supplemental training.

True Strength Yang is completely unique and immediately satisfying. Even the look and "feel" of these DVD's is interesting; when I started the first disc, like a magnet, everyone in the house was drawn to watch. The program has an unmistakable edge; there is elegance in its stark simplicity.

Steps are easy to follow, with clear explanations of individual components. For the uninitiated, demonstrations begin with slow, gentle versions of movements that quickly accumulate speed and power. At the conclusion of the two-DVD set, three different routines are provided: "intense," "conditioning," and "endurance."

Stephan Berwick's easy, direct teaching method belies the depth of material that he provides. True Strength Yang is a powerful, powerful workout, and requires no special equipment to perform. Movements remain natural and relaxed, even while the body is exerting - so over time, the same length routine yields even greater results. Can't beat that!

The videos are good aerobic exercises; provide a nominal cardio vascular impact and a bit more flexibility.

The efficacy of these videos for combat use is minimal. If you want true combat effectiveness I would stay away from purchasing this series. Check with your local traditional Kung Fu or combat martial artist to learn about combat.

Stephan Berwick has used his extensive background in traditional Chinese Martial Arts to bring us some of the less well known methods for conditioning and strengthening the body. There is a thorough demonstration of the exercises, plus some follow along video routines. I've been using his 5 minute routine as a daily warmup to my other training, and have noticed several benefits. First, a nagging knee injury is getting rehabilitated. Second, I am able to train much harder, quicker, something that more standard warmups never enabled me to do. Third, my recovery has become much faster. Training doesn't bother me as much the morning after.

I'm not an expert on exercise science, but I do know this wakes up and energizes my body for training in an entirely new way. Give it a try!

Imagine a DVD you can follow easily and clearly, using your own body as an instrument to build strength....inside and outside...AND it is totally fun and invigorating, compelling and original, full of subtle and obvious movements to use the body as one unit. Also helps with rooting. I have been a Truestrength fan for 6 years and this type of training has been useful in the development of my flexibility, core strength and balance. Part of the coolest feeling is not just the development of the core strength....it has a rythmn that you feel, hear and see as you get into the program. Very dimensional training.

I am really impressed with the amount of in depth information Stephan Berwick packs into this DVD set. His "Primers" DVD contains detailed instruction on weight shifting and body mechanics and much more. I am more aware of what I am doing as I complete the exercises and know I am receiving the maximum benefit.

The exercises are tough but easy enough that people at any age can do it. I feel comfortable recommending this video to my parents and grandparents and see myself doing this for many years to come.

Overall, the best part is that I feel fabulous afterward. It's a great video.

DVD is so basic, that unless you are completely uncoordinated, you just won't need it.

DVD 1 works on the premise that slapping/ striking yourself in a coordinated manner will condition and toughen your body. Honestly, while I was waiting for the delivery, I started hitting myself with a small baseball bat, and that seems more effective than the DVD system. This is because the way the self slapping/striking routines are set up, you cannot actually strike all body areas, whereas you can with a dowel/small baseball bat.

So, I've got the DVD set, but don't see any need for it.

Finally, the production quality lighting is just too dark for clear demonstration.

My overall opinion, read about shoaling body conditioning, e.g. iron shirt, by a dowel/small baseball bat, and do it yourself, with the advantage of being able to hit all the body areas.

If postage from the UK were not so expensive, I'd return the product for a refund.

Informative and easy to follow. Especially like the second part which focuses on lower body strength and flexibility.